# Stimulus Question: "MakingWork Pay" credit **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 18, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356 "2009-02-18T03:07:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356/1 "2009-02-18T03:07:45Z")
Under the new legislation, I am entitled to a [Making Work Pay Credit](http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/factbox-us-stimulus-package-2492501) of $400 dollars ($800 for married) though I am baffled at how its being paid out. According to the [IRS website](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204335,00.html?portlet=6), this credit will automatically start appearing in my checks this in the beginning of May :eek:. So will I just start seeing $400 dollars on my check this spring? What if I work two jobs or three, how does that work if one get seperate checks from different employers? 😕. ---
**Author:** ![Lungfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@Lungfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lungfish)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356/2 "2009-02-18T03:27:51Z")
I have no idea but I do have a suggestion. The US Government has setup a site called [recovery.gov/](http://www.recovery.gov/) > [@](#): > > [Recovery.gov](http://Recovery.gov) is a website that lets you, the taxpayer, figure out where the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is going. Why don’t you contact them via this site. From their FAQ: > [@](#): > > : How can I contact the Administration with questions or comments about [Recovery.gov](http://Recovery.gov) and the recovery package? > A: The best method to comment or ask a question on [Recovery.gov](http://Recovery.gov) is to use our contact us form. The question or message will be referred to the best person to handle the matter, and they will respond as quickly as possible. > > For questions about the federal government, visit [USA.gov](http://USA.gov) or call 1 (800) FED INFO (1-800-333-4636) (8 am-8 pm ET Monday-Friday). ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356/3 "2009-02-18T04:02:41Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > Under the new legislation, I am entitled to a [Making Work Pay Credit](http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/factbox-us-stimulus-package-2492501) of $400 dollars ($800 for married) though I am baffled at how its being paid out. According to the [IRS website](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204335,00.html?portlet=6), this credit will automatically start appearing in my checks this in the beginning of May :eek:. So will I just start seeing $400 dollars on my check this spring? What if I work two jobs or three, how does that work if one get seperate checks from different employers? 😕. I think what they are describing is a reduction in your withholding. In effect, this credit will look like a slight tax decrease, rather than a stand-alone rebate sent to you as a check. I think the amount of the credit depends on your income, so each company that pays you would reduce the withholding a small amount, based on how much they were paying you. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356/4 "2009-02-18T04:12:28Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > So will I just start seeing $400 dollars on my check this spring? Not on your check, on your checks. I heard in the news that the average worker gets like 8 bucks a week. ---
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356/5 "2009-02-18T12:07:11Z")
Thanks guys. What a bizarre way to give a rebate but I expect nothing less from the government. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-question-makingwork-pay-credit/486356/6 "2009-02-18T13:21:24Z")
The reasoning I’ve heard is that people largely saved the Bush rebate checks, or else spent them on debt, neither of which is what the government wanted. It wants the money spent so that it circulates to retailers and such. They determined that the reason people did that with the money is that they knew it was a one time shot, and they wouldn’t see any more. Therefore, the Obama administration has elected to time release the money so that people know there will be more to come every week. They believe people will more likely do something like buy an extra hamburger from a restaurant or some socks from Target. That’s the kind of spending they want to see, and multiplied by a hundred million each week or two, they believe it will help circulate money in the economy.